Machine for feeding envelopes and similar workpieces individually from a stack to a printing mechanism



Dec. 3,'1957 y R. E. sKow k l 2,815,207

MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENVELOPES ND SIMILAR WORKPIECES INDIVIDULLY FROM A STACK T0 A PRINTING MECHANISM IN VEN TOR.

Ross E. Show."

R. E. SKOW Dec. 3, 1957 v 2 815 MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENvELoPEs AND SIMILAR WORKPIECES INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK TO A PRINTING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1953 INVENTOR. Ross E. Shaw.

wm. Sw t, 2 u

om u R. E. SKOW 2,815,207 MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENvELoPEs AND SIMILAR woRKPIEcEs l INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK TO A PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 16, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. `Ross.' E. Skow.

Dec. 3, 1957 R, E sKow MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENVELOPES AND SIMILAR WORKPIECES INDIVIDUALI-Y FROM A STACK T0 A PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 16, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 SAQ NQ INVENToR.

' vRoss E. Skow.

ATTORNEYS.

R. E. sKow 2,815,207 MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENvELoPEs AND SIMILAR woRxPIEcEs INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK TO A PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 1s, 1953 ATTORNEVSQ Dec. 3, 1957 R E SKOW 2815,20?

MACHINE FoR FEEDING ENVELOPES AND SIMILAR woRKPI'EcEs INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK To A PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 16, 1953 8 Sheets-Shes?I 7 INVENTOR Ross E Skaw.

A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 3,' 1957 R. E. sKow l 2,815,207

NAcRINE RoR READING ENvELoPEs AND SIMILAR woRRPIRcEs INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK Io A PRINTING NEcHANIsM MM5/m@ A TT'oRfvivrs.

United States Patent C MACHINE FOR FEEDING ENVELOPES AND SllVI- ILAR WRKPIECES INDIVIDUALLY FROM A STACK T A PRFNTING MECHANISM Ross E. Skow, Kansas City, M0., assiguor to Walbert Machine Company, Kansasv City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application April 16, 1953, Serial No. 349,240'

3 Claims. (Cl. 271-29) This invention relates to an apparatus for printing workpieces such as envelopes. For example, envelopes are produced at relatively low cost with the present day high-production envelope making machines, but such machines are adapted to continuous runs for producing large quantity orders of a given envelope. However, many customers require envelopes in less quantity and with individualized printing so that it is not economically practical to set up the machines to supply such orders. The solution to the problem, which is beneficial to both the envelope manufacturer and customer, is to print the envelopes after they have been made. In this way the manufacturer may maintain his machinery at full capacity for producing standard sized envelopes and build up Stocks for future orders; then, when an order is received the envelopes are removed from stock and printed in exact accordance with the customers needs.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple, high-speed feeding and printing apparatus that is quickly set up for printing stock envelopes in the quantity which is required.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a feeding and printing apparatus particularly adapted for large sized envelopes and those of the open end type; to provide a feeding and printing apparatus wherein the envelopes are maintained in continuous movement from a stack through the printing mechanism; to provide means for automatically registering the envelopes while being conveyed in spaced sequence to the printing mechanism and thereby assure accurate placement of the printing on the envelopes; to provide for removal of the envelopes from the bottom of the stack by means of a vacuum cylinder in cooperation with actively driven pressure rollers; to provide a continuous conveyor of the pusher type for receiving the envelopes from the vacuum and pressure rollers and whereon the envelopes are registered; to provide means for positioning rear edges of the envelopes for positive engagement by the conveyor; to provide a stack supporting means whereby the foremost envelopes are positioned with their fore-edges in staggered relation for facilitating their individual withdrawal; to provide means for supporting weight of the upper envelopes in the stack from the envelope being withdrawn by the vacuum cylinder; and to provide a common drive for maintaining the feeding and printing mechanisms in synchronism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for automatically stopping the machine in case they envelopes are not properly positioned on the conveyor.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved Structure the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an envelope feeding and printing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

ice

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the machine on the line 2 2, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a similar section on the line 3-3, of Fig. 7.

Fig. 4 is a plan vieew of the envelope feeding section of the machine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through the stack support and withdrawal cylinders.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the structure disclosed in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational View of the printing cylinder end of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8, of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the pusher pins of the conveyor chains.

Fig. l0 is a detail perspective view of the suction con-v trol valve.

Fig. 1l is a cross section through the machine taken on the line 11-1L of Fig. 3, to better illustrate the envelope guide tracks and rails.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged cross section through the machine on the line 12-12, of Fig. 11, to better illustrate the control bar for operating the control switches.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a machine for feeding and printing envelopes in accordance with the present invention. The machine includes a casing-like base 2 which forms a housing for the motors and various drive mechanisms as later described. The base includes side plates 3 and 4 extending along the side walls of the base and having upward extensions 5 and 6 at the respective ends thereof.

Carried by the side plates 3 and 4 and projecting horizontally from the upward extensions 5 and 6 is a frame 7 including a cross bar 8 and side bars 9 andl 10 that are supported in substantially horizontal position with respect to the base by bracket portions 11 as best shown in Figs. l and 5. Spaced forwardly from the cross bar 8 and carried by the side bars 9 and 10 is a cross bar 12 which mounts stationary parallel bars 13 and 14 having forwardly extending ends 15. The bars 13 and 14 are arranged on edge and their lower ends are rigidly secured directly to the cross bar 12. Extending transversely through the bars 13 and 14 forwardly of the cross bar 12 is a rod 16 to form a pivotal support for stack adjusting bars 17 and 18 that are spaced from the bars 13 and 14 substantially in corresponding relation with the spacing of the fixed bars. The forward ends of the pivoted bars are adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to the forward ends of the fixed bars by adjusting screws 19 that depend from the rear ends of the bars and extend through openings in the cross bar 12 to mount adjusting nuts 20 that engage the underside of the cross bar to tension coil springs 21. The coil springs are sleeved over the Shanks of the screws 19 and which have one end engaging under the pivoted bars and their opposite ends against the upper face of the cross bar 12 as shown in Fig. 6. Also fixed to the cross bar 12 in laterally spaced relation with respect to the pivoted bars arel fixed bars 22 and 23.

Cooperating with the bars just disclosed are vertical rods or standards 24 that are adjustably carried on the frame 7 by foot portions 25V having slots 26 through which fastening devices 27 are extended into the members 8, 9, and 10, to retain the vertical supports in adjusted position relatively to the sides of the stack of envelopes as shown in Fig. 5.

Adjustably mounted on the standards are clamps 28 carrying loop-shaped fingers 29 that engage under and support the outer marginal edges' of the stack of envelopes, the clamps 28 being adjustably retained on the supports by fastening devices 30. It is obvious that the foot portionsy 25 of the supports 24 are adjustable in radial directions with respect to the fastening devices 27 and that the supports are positionable relative to the sides of the stack so as to engage the end and rear edges of the stacked envelopes. The stack support also includes vertical guide members 31 and 32 that engage the forward side of the stack and which have angles 33 that are connected therewith and with a cross bary 34 to support the members in vertical position as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The stack guide members 31 and 32 have flat faces 35 to engage the leading edges of the envelopes in the stack and their lower ends 36 curve downwardly and forwardly so that the front edges of the lower envelopes of the stack are slightly staggered or stepped; that is, the lowermost envelope projects slightly forwardly of the next upper envelope throughout the curvature 36 of the members 31 and 32 as shown in Fig. 5. Also carried on the cross bar 34 at a point intermediate the members 31 and 32 is a shorter member 37 having a forwardly curved lower end 38 corresponding to the curved ends of the members 31 and 32. Fixed to the curved end of the member 37 is a strip 39 that is of resilient material such as rubber. The strip has a forwardly curved terminal that provides a wiper 40 extending under the terminal edge of the member 37 and which is adapted to bear upon the periphery 41 of a vacuum cylinder 42 later described. The member 37 is adapted to be adjusted vertically to vary pressure of the wiper 40 on the vacuum cylinder. This is effected by providing the forward side of the member 37 with a block 43 that is contained between the upper and lower arms 44 and 45 of a bracket 46 that is attached to the cross bar 34. The lower arm 45 carries a pin 47 to center a coil spring 48 that lifts the block 43 responsive to manipulation of an adjusting screw 49 journalled in the upper arm 44 of the bracket. When the screw 49 is turned in one direction the threaded shank 50 thereof raises and lowers the member 37 against action of the spring 48.

Adjustment of the member 37 regulates the spacing between the curved end thereof and the vacuum cylinder for controlling pressure on the forwardly extending terminal or wiper portion 40 of the rubber strip 39.

Pressure of the envelopes in the upper portion of the stack is relieved from the lowermost envelope to facilitate withdrawal thereof. This is effected by an adjustable support 51 that is pivoted as at 52 to a standard 53 that has a slotted foot 54 adjustably fixed to the cross bar 8 by a bolt 55. Pivoted support 51 depends from the standard 53 so that it may be adjusted to and from the stack by a setscrew 56. The setscrew 56 is rotatably mounted in a threaded opening 57 of the standard and has its end 58 engaging the pivoted support to project adjustably an incline foot 59 which engages between and supports the rear edge of all but the lower envelopes in the stack but which releases the envelopes one at a time as the forward edges shift to follow the curvature of the vertical members 31 and 32.

The vacuum or withdrawal cylinder 42 is xed to a transverse shaft 59 having its ends journaled in the side frames 3 and 4 and in a position whereby the lowermost envelope rests upon the periphery of the vacuum cylinder.

Attention is directed to the fact that the forward stack guides 31 and 32 extend upwardly from the withdrawal cylinder and that the stack engaging faces 35 thereof are located on the retractive side of a transverse plane extending through the axis of the transverse shaft 59 on which the withdrawal cylinder is carried, and that the curved ends 36 of the stack guides curve downwardly and forwardly to terminate in spaced relation with the cylindrical surface of the withdrawal cylinder on the forward side of said plane. It is thus obvious that as the envelopes work their way down the faces of thc stack guides, the lowermost envelopes shift forwardly with the curvature of the ends 36 so that the leading marginal edge of the lowermost envelope is cantilevered from the tangential contact point of the envelope with the withdrawal cylinder, and since the major portion of the envelopes in the stack, that is, all of the envelopes above the curved ends of the stack guides, are on the rear side of the plane and therefore on the rear side of the contact point of the lowermost envelope, the leading marginal edge is free of pressure of the upper portion of the envelopes in the stack. It is also obvious that when the cantilevered edge of the envelope is drawn downwardly into contact with the surface of the withdrawal cylinder, as later described, it is also free from pressure contact by the corresponding portions of the next upper envelopes that have shifted into contact with the curved ends of the stack guides, as later to be described.

The vacuum cylinder 42 has diametrically opposed suction nozzles or ports 60 and 61 that are connected with channels 62 and 63 that successively connect with an arcuate port 64 in a valve plate 65 which is mounted coaxially of the shaft 59 and anchored against rotation thereon by a rod 66 that extends rearwardly and is adjustably retained in a bracket 67 depending from the cross bar 8 (see Fig. 2). The end 68 of the rod 66 eX- tending through the bracket is externally threaded to mount adjusting nuts 69 and 70 for engaging the respective sides of the bracket. The valve plate 65 is thus arcuately adjusted on the shaft 59 to time the point at which the suction is made effective as later described. The arcuate port 64 connects through a flexible duct 71 with a vacuum pump 72.

The vacuum pump 72 is mounted within the base 2 of the machine and is operated by a motor 73 through a pulley and belt connection 74 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The periphery of the vacuum cylinder has circumferential grooves 75 and 76 to receive the forward ends 15 of the supporting bars"13 and 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, whereby the envelopes are drawn smoothly from the bars and curved against the periphery of the cylinder.

The cylinder carries the forward edge of the envelope to the horizontal run of a conveyor 77 by the aid of pressure wheels 73 when the vacuum is cut off. The wheels 78 are mounted on a shaft 79 that extends transversely of the machine forwardly and above the shaft 59. The periphery of the wheels 78 bear upon the periphery of the vacuum cylinder 42 at a point spaced forwardly from the rubber strip 39 (Fig. 5). It is thus obvious that the pressure wheels contact the vacuum cylinder at a point below and forwardly of the plane of contact of the lowermost envelope in the stack so that the envelope is carried downwardly and forwardly between the vacuum cylinder and pressure wheels onto the upper runs 80 and 81 of endless chains 82 and 83 that form the conveyor 77. The conveyor chains operate over sprockets 84 that rotate freely on the shaft 59 at the respective ends of the vacuum cylinder and over sprockets 86 fixed to a drive shaft 88 having its ends journalled in the forward ends of the side plates 3 and 4. The shaft 88 is supported at a suicient height relative to the shaft 59 so that the runs 80 of the conveyors are substantially horizontal as shown in Fig. 2. The lower runs of the chain extend over idler sprockets 89 and 90 that are carried at the ends of arms 91. The arms 91 are xed to a cross member 92 connecting the sides of the base. The conveyor chains carry a plurality of pusher pins 95 for engaging the rear edge of the envelopes as they are withdrawn from the stack and discharged between the vacuum cylinder and pressure rollers onto the upper run of the conveyors.

The pusher pins 95 have Shanks 96 that are rotatably supported in blocks 97 that are attached to the side links of the chains at equaly spaced points along the length thereof. The shanks 96 thus extend in the longitudinal direction of the chains and have laterally extending ends 98 projecting above the lever of the chains. The Shanks are secured in the blocks by fastening devices such as setscrews 99 to support the lateral ends 98 of the pusher pins in position for engaging and advancing the envelopes along a guideway.

The guideway is formed by iongitudinal guide rails 100 and 101 that are supported above the level of the Withdrawal cylinder shaft 59 and below the pressure wheels 78 and in plane with the upper faces of the conveyor chains on the bars 106 and 107 and which cooperate with pairs of spaced longitudinal rails 102-102, the center rails 102 being spaced apart as at 103. Extending along the outer sides of the outer rails 102 are longitudinal guides 104 and 105 for supporting the upper runs 80 an-d 81 of the conveyor chains 82 and 83 in substantially horizontal alignment with the upper faces of the guides 100 and 101. The cross bars 106 and 107 have their ends fixed to angle plates 108 and 109 that are mounted on the inner sides of the base as shown in Fig. 2. Also cooperating with the longitudinal guides are side rails 110 and 110 that extend along outer sides of the chains.

Adjustably supported on the cross bars 106 and 107 are angle-shaped rails 111 and 111 to provide inwardly extending anges 112 and 113 to support the end marginal edges of the envelopes While the vertical flanges 114 and 115 of the guides engage the ends of the envelopes and retain them in alignment while they are being advanced by the conveyor chains to the printing mechanism.

In order that one end of the envelopes may be shifted laterally to assure their movement along a definite line, the `angle guide rail 111 for that side is supported in parallel relation with the conveyor chains to provide the line of travel and the other guide rail 111 is arranged at a slight angle so that the envelopes easily enter between the vertical flanges 114 and 115 of the rails and are gradually shifted toward the straight-away rail 111 as they are moved along by the conveyors. rThe envelopes thus shift laterally and are aligned with respect to the plate (not shown) on the printing cylinder 138 so that the printing is applied in the same relative areas of the respective envelopes. The envelopes are retained in contact with the respective guides by upper guide rails 116, 117, 118, and 119 that are adjustably supported on transverse rods 120 and 121, the guides being carried by blocks 122 through which the transverse rods extend and which are retained in fixed position by thumb screws 123 which are threadedly mounted in the blocks and have ends bearing against the respective rods. The cross rods 120 and 121 are carried at their ends in longitudinal bars 124 and 125 which have their rear ends pivotally mounted on a cross rod 126 which is located forwardly of the pressure roller shaft 79 previously described.

The opposite ends of the longitudinal bars 124 and 125 are provided with legs 127 having laterally extending feet 128 which are adjustably supported by set screws 128 that bear upon the transverse bar 106 as shown in Fig. 1l.

To support the rear edges of the envelopes in position to be engaged by the pins 95, the envelopes pass over guide rollers 129 and 130 that are fixed to a transverse shaft 131 journalled in brackets 131' that project from the cross bar 107 at a point below the chain guides 104 and 105 whereby the peripheries of the rollers support the envelopes in plane with the upper face of the guides 100 and 101. The envelopes are pressed into contact with the rollers 129 andk 130 by pressure rollers or wheels 132 and 133 that are rotatably mounted on arms 135 fixed to rock on the cross shaft 126. The pressure rollers 132 and 133 are urged into position for retaining the envelopes in contact with the driven rollers 129 and 130 by springs 137 which have one end bearing upon the arms 135 and the opposite ends against arms 138 that are fixed to the rod 126.

The printing press portion of the machine is substantial- 1y conventional in that it includes the printing cylinder 133 and an impression cylinder 139 that are located in alignment with the discharge end of the conveyor and with the printing cylinder above and the impression. cylinder below the envelopes so that the envelopes are delivered in successive order therebetween and discharged onto an offtake conveyor 140 that extends along a table 141. The printing mechanism also includes the usual inking and transfer rolls 142 with which ink is carried from a fountain 143 which specifically form no part of the present invention.

To facilitate feed of the envelopes between the printing and impression cylinders and assure clearance of the conveyor pins 95 from the rear edges of the envelopes, means is provided for increasing the speed of the envelopes as they are delivered between the printing and impression cylinders. This is effected by providing a lower pressure roller 144 and upper pressure wheels 145 arranged to engage the envelopes therebetween and to effect their feed at sufficiently higher speed, thereby assuring clearance of the envelopes from the pins as the pins turn about the axis of the shaft 88.

The drive for the printing and impression cylinders as well as the conveyor and feed rollers is effected by a motor 146 which is located within the base of the machine. The motor 146 drives a belt 147 operating over a pulley 148 on a countershaft 149 (see Fig. 3). Fixed to the countershaft 149 in driving relation with the pulley 148 is asprocket 150. Operaitng over the sprocket 150 is a chain 151 which drives a sprocket 152 on a countershaft 153. The countershafts 149 and 152 are suitably journaled in the side frames in the base portion of the machine. The shaft 153 has a sprocket 154 that actuates a chain 155 operating over a sprocket 156 on a shaft 157 which is connected with the table belt 140 by a driving connection indicated by the chain 159. The shaft 153 has a sprocket which drives a chain 161 which operates over a sprocket 162 on the shaft 163 of the printing cylinder 138. Motmted on the opposite end of the printing cylinder shaft 163 is a gear 164 which meshes with a gear 165 on the impression cylinder shaft 166 to drive the impression cylinder 139 in timed relation with the printing cylinder 133.

The conveyor of the envelope feeding mechanism is driven in timed relation with the printing and impression cylinders by a sprocket 167 that is fixed to the shaft 166 of the impression cylinder as shown in Fig. 3. Operating over the sprocket 167 is a chain 16S which also operates over a sprocket 169 on the vacuum cylinder shaft 59.

The conveyor chains are driven by the chain 168. This connection is effected by running the chain 168 over a sprocket 170 on the shaft 88. The shaft 171 of the lower pressure roller 145 has a sprocket 172 which is also driven by the chain 168.

Idler sprockets 1'73 and 174 are used to provide proper tooth contact of the chain with the sprockets 170 and 172 as shown in Fig. 3. Idler sprocket 174 also cooperates with the sprocket 175 to guide the upper run 176 of the chain 160 under the bars 106 and 107.

The lower pressure roller 129 is driven from the shaft 59 by a chain 177 operating over a sprocket 17S on the shaft 131 and over a sprocket 179 on the shaft 59 (see Figs. 2 and 6).

The shaft 79 which carries the pressure wheels 78 projects through the side frames 5 and 6 and is journaled in arms that are pivotally connected with the side frames as indicated at 131 so that the pressure rollers may move up and down in accordance with the thickness of the envelopes that are fed therebetween. The shaft 79 is driven from the shaft 59 by means of a gear 182 that meshes with a gear 183 on a stub shaft 184 that is fixed to the outer side of the frame member 5. Fixed to the stub shaft in driving relation with the gear 184 is a sprocket 185 which operates a sprocket 186 on a shaft 79 through a chain 187 as best shown in Fig. l. The chain 137 is provided with a tightener 188 that is rotatably carried on an arm 189 which in turn is pivoted on a stu-d 190 which projects from the side frame 5. The chain 187 is thus kept in proper driving relation with 7 the sprockets during movement of the pressure wheels 78 with respect to the vacuum cylinder.

In order to assure contact of the envelopes with the pins 98 of the conveyors the shafts 120 and 121 are provided with retard devices 191 and 192 which are mounted on arms 193 and 194 that are attached to the shafts 120 and 121. Similar devices 195 and 196 are carried by arms 195 and 196' that are pivoted to a central longitudinal bar 197 carried at its ends on the cross rods 120 and 121 (see Figs. ll and l2.) The retard devices may be in the form of brushes, as shown, that bear on the upper surface of the envelopes as they are being carried by the conveyor chains along the guides 100 and 101. The bar 197 also carries control switches 198 and 198 which have operating arms 199 that bear upon a bar 200 that has its ends adjustably mounted on threaded stems 201 and 202 carrying a runner 203 directly over the path of the envelopes. The stems 201 and 202 slide through suitable openings 204 in the bar 197 to suspend the runner 203 by means of nuts 205 that are threaded on the stems, and bear upon the bar 197. The desired contact with the envelopes can be maintained by adjusting the nuts 205 to raise or lower the runner 203. With this arrangement, piling up of the envelopes immediately stops the machine since the switches 198 and 198' are connected in the control circuit (not shown) of the motor 146. Any added thickness under the runner 203 raises the bar 200, which actuates the operating arms of the switches 198 and 193.

Means is also provided to stop operation of the machine in case of Ifailure of an envelope to feed or to be carried in proper position by the conveyor. This is accomplished by a switch 206 carried by the cross rod 120 at the end of the bar 197, which has a contact arm 207 adapted to bear upon the envelopes, if they are present, and, if not, to make contact with a contact plate 208 which is supported directly under the path of the envelopes. The switch 206 is also connected in the motor control circuit in a suitable manner to stop the machine as will be well understood by any electrical engineer, the specic circuit forming no part of the present invention.

In order to prevent operation of the switch 206 during the time, the feeler or contact arm 207 is making contact with the plate 208 by reason of the space intervals between the envelopes. During this time the circuit for the feeler circuit is opened by switches 209 and 211 (see Fig. 8), operated by a cam 210 which is mounted on any operating shaft of the machine that is in timed relation with the conveyor chains, for example, the shaft 163 as shown or the shaft 59 of the vacuum cylinder. It is obvious that two switches are required because under normal operation two envelopes are delivered per one revolution of the vacuum cylinder during the time the cam is making one revolution.

When every other pin is removed from the conveyor or turned out Iof the way to slow the feed or to print larger envelopes too long for the normal space between every set of pins, the control switch 211 is disconnected from the circuit, and only the switch 209 is effective since only one envelope is fed per one revolution of the cam 210.

In using the apparatus constructed and assembled as described, a stack of envelopes is placed on the bars 13 and 14 so that forward edges thereof are in contact with the vertical members 31 and 32. The standards 24 are then moved into supporting contact with the sides of the stack. This is readily effected by loosening the fastening devices 27 and sliding the foot portions 25 on the frame 7, until the standards 24 are in desired position to maintain stability to the stack of envelopes. The fastening devices 27 are then retightened to retain the standards in adjusted position. The side portions of the stack that project from the supports 15 and 16 are brought into substantial plane by adjusting the loop-shaped fingers 29. This is elfected by loosening the fastening devices 30 and raising or lowering the clamps 28 on the standards.

After the bottom of the stack has been brought into a.

substantial plane, the fastening devices 30 are retightened. With the stack in supported position, the forward marginal edge of the lowermost envelope is resting upon the periphery 41 of the withdrawal cylinder 42.

When the envelopes are relatively wide, the forward portions thereof may tend to drop at the ends of the withdrawal cylinder. This tendency may be eliminated through adjustment of the pivoted bars 17 and 18. This adjustment may be effected through manipulation of the nuts 20 on the nuts 20 on the adjusting screws 19. When the nuts 20 are moved to draw the rear ends of the bars downwardly, the forward ends of the bars are raised and when the nuts are loosened the springs 21 are effective in lowering the forward ends of the bars 17 and 18. The resilient member 39 is adjusted relatively to the periphery of the withdrawal cylinder so that the wiper portion 40 thereof is in position to pass only one envelope at a time and to prevent rubbing contact of the next upper envelopes in the stack with the pressure wheels (see Fig. 5). This adjustment is effected by raising or lowering the member 37 by manipulation of the screw 49 so that when it is turned in one direction the clock 43 is moved downwardly against action of the spring 48 to increase the pressure of the wiper and when the screw is turned in the opposite direction the spring is effective in raising the block to release the pressure on the wiper. The pressure at the rear marginal edge of the lower envelopes in the stack is relieved by adjustment of the foot 59 so that it partially supports the upper part of the stack. This adjustment is effected by pivoting the support 51 on the standard 53 through manipulation of the setscrew 56.

The side rails 111 and 111 are adjusted to the spacedapart relation suitable for the size of the envelopes so that envelopes slide upon the flanges 112 and 113 while being guided by the flanges 114 and 115. As above stated, one of the rails is preferably located in a straightway position relatively to the direction of movement of the envelopes while the other rail is arranged at an angle thereto to engage the opposite edges of the envelopes for shifting and guiding the envelopes into contact with the ange of the opposite rail, thus assuring that the envelopes all move in this same path and that they are in proper lateral position when they reach the printing mechanism as later described.

Assuming that the motors 73 and 146 are in operation and that the machine contains a stack of envelopes as just described, the operation is as follows:

The motor 146 drives the pulley 148, shaft 149, sprocket 150, chain 151, and sprocket 152, to turn the countershaft 153. The countershaft 157 is driven from the countershaft 153 through the chain 155 and sprockets 156 and 154 as shown in Fig. 3. The chain 159 drives the delivery belt along the table 141. The shaft 153 drives the printing cylinder 138 through the sprocket 160, chain 161 and sprocket 162. The impression cylinder 139 is driven in timed relation with the printing cylinder through the intermeshing gears 164 and 165 (Figs. 1 and 7).

The inking and ink transfer rollers of the press are also placed in operation through their driving connection with the printing and impression cylinders. The vacuum or withdrawal cylinder is located in timed relation with the printing and impression cylinders through the chain 168 which connects the sprocket 167 on the impression cylinder shaft with the sprocket 169 on the Vacuum or withdrawal cylinder shaft 59. Since the upper run 176 of the chain 16S operates over the sprocket 170 on the conveyor shaft 88, the conveyor chains 82 and 83 are moving in timed relation with the impression and printing cylinders so that the pins on the conveyor chains are in timed relation with the printing plate. The rollers 129 and wheels 78 are also in operation by reason of their driving connections with the vacuum or withdrawal cylinder shaft 59. The forward edge portions of the lower envelopes in the stack are splayed forwardly in accordance with the curvature 36 of the lower ends of the stack guides 31 and 32 so that the leading edge of the lower envelope is cantilevered over the contact point thereof with the withdrawal cylinder and` in position to be advanced through the pass controlled by the wiper 40, when one of the vacuum ports. 60: or 61 reaches a positionV to engage the lowermost envelope. The time that the cantilevered portion of the envelope is engaged and the time of engagement isy under control' of the plate or diskv 65. The vacuum is made effective through registry of the channel 62 or 63 with the arcuate port 64 in the valve disk. The suction through the active port draws the forward edge of the innermost envelope downwardly and carries it forwardly under the wiper and downwardly in an arcuate path toward the guides 100 and 101. The trailing portion of the lowermost envelope slides under the stack and along the bars 13 and 14. As the forward edge of the withdrawn envelope approaches the guides 104 and 105, the vacuum is shut off by the port 60 of the cylinder 42 passing out of registry with the arcuate port 64 of the valve disk or plate 65. The effective point for the vacuum may be controlled through adjusting the position of the valve disk 65 by manipulation of the rod 66.

The envelope upon being released from the effects of the vacuum is now advanced by the wheels 78 which press the envelopes in contact with the periphery of the rotating withdrawal cylinder. The forward edge of the envelope is deflected by the guide rails from contact with the withdrawal cylinder and moves along the guide rails between the driven roller 129 and wheels 132 to continue advance of the envelopes after the rear edge has passed from between the vacuum cylinder and pressure wheels 78'. The envelope is now starting its movement in a straightway direction along the guide rails to the printing mechanism. Shortly after the rear edge of the envelope reaches the plane of the horizontal flanges 112-113 and the guides 100-101, a pair of pins 95 on the conveyor chains 82 and 83 move into contact therewith to continue movement by the propelling influence of the pins. During this movement, the canted or angled rail 111 effects lateral shifting of the envelope so that the opposite edge thereof is kept in sliding contact with the straightly positioned rail 111, thereby assuring that the envelope is in proper alignment with the plate on the printing cylinder. The envelope is kept in contact with the lower guides by the upper guides 115--116 and 117--118 and brush members which also keep the envelope in contact with the pins 95 of the conveyor so that the envelopes are square with and in timed relation with the plate on the printing cylinder 138 to assure that the printing is applied in the desired location on the envelope. When the envelope reaches the end of the guides 100 and 101 the forward edge is engaged between the roller 145 and wheels 144 which operate at a higher speed than the speed of the conveyor, to draw the engaged envelope away from the pins and effect its feed between the impression and printing cylinders. Thus the pins of the conveyor chains have ample time to move downwardly around the sprockets 86, without causing damage to the rear edge of the envelope.

Should the envelopes tend to bunch up between the upper and lower guides, the contact arms of the switches 198 and 198 are operated by movement of the bar 200 to stop the machine.

If an envelope should fail to be in position on the conveyor, the contact arm 207 of the switch 206 engages the contact plate 208 to stop the machine and thereby prevent application of ink on the impression cylinder and offset printing on the under side of the following envelopes.

The envelopes are fed as above-described in successive order, the start of the feed being under control of the vacuum cylinder. In case the machine should stop because of clogging of the envelopes between the guides, the clogged envelopes are readily removed by raising the frame which includes the arms. 124 and 125. After removal of the clogged envelopes the frame is returned to its operative position and the feed of the envelopes is continued as described.

In case that relatively large envelopes are to be fed to the printing cylinder, or the envelopes are to be printed at half the rate, every other one of the conveyor pins is turned out of position or removed by loosening the setscrew 99 and withdrawing the pins. Also when feeding the large-sized envelopes one set of vacuum ports in the withdrawal cylinder is shut olf by applying a strip of tape thereover so that only one envelope is fed for each revolution of the vacuum cylinder. The timing switch 211 is also disconnected which allows operation of the other switch for each 21 of chain travel. Thus a single feeler switch functions when the machine is under operation at one-half capacity.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a feeding mechanism for feeding envelopes and similar work pieces to a printing mechanism so that they may be economically printed in accordance with small orders.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An apparatus for feeding envelopes singly in spaced apart relation in a generally continuous direction from a stack of said envelopes to a printing mechanism, said feeding apparatus including a withdrawal cylinder having a port opening through thek cylindrical surface of said withdrawal cylinder, valve controlled means for intermittently establishing suction through said port, means for supporting the withdrawal cylinder rotatably below the stack on a horizontal axis extending transversely with respect to said direction of feed, forward stack guides extending upwardly from the withdrawal cylinder and having stack-engaging faces located on the retractive side of a transverse plane extending through the horizontal axis of the withdrawal cylinder and said guides having downwardly and forwardly curving lower ends terminating in spaced relation with the cylindrical surface of the withdrawal cylinder on the forward side of said plane whereby the envelopes work their way down the stack with leading edges thereof on the retractive side of said plane and then shift forwardly to continue contact with said curved ends of the stack guides, so that the lower envelope makes tangential contact with the cylinder substantially at the intersection point of said plane with the marginal edge of said lowermost envelope cantilevered from said point of contact with the cylinder to be drawn into contact with the withdrawal cylinder when the suction is effective to free pressure of the upper envelopes thereon, guide rails located above the rotational axis of the withdrawal cylinder and spaced below the intersection point of said plane with the withdrawal cylinder for deecting the envelopes from the withdrawal cylinder and guiding them toward the printing mechanism, pressure wheels between the guide rails and the terminal ends of the guide supports, means rotatably supporting the pressure wheels to cooperate with the surface of the withdrawal cylinder for continuing withdrawal of the lowermost envelope from the stack after suspension of the suction, a control member curving downwardly and forwardly substantially in accordance with the curvature of the lower ends of said stack support and having a resilient terminal in wiping contact with the surface of the withdrawal cylinder to prevent rubbing contact of the next upper envelopes in the stack with the pressure wheels as said lowermost envelope is being advanced under said terminal to deilecting contact with the guide rails, and stack supporting means extending rearwardly from the withdrawal cylinder to form the major bottom support for the stack.

2. An apparatus for feeding envelopes as described in claim l, wherein the rearwardly extending stack supporting means includes a central support extending rearward- 1y from said plane, laterally spaced supports having pivotal mounting on the central support and extending forwardly to terminate substantially in lateral alignment with the contact point of the lowermost envelope with the withdrawal cylinder, and means for adjusting said lateral supports on said pivotal mounting to raise and lower forward ends of the lateral supports.

3. An apparatus for feeding envelopes as described in claim 1, wherein the rearwardly extending stack supporting means includes a central support extending rearwardly from said plane, laterally spaced supports having pivotal mounting on the central support and extending forwardly to terminate substantially in lateral alignment with the contact point of the lowermost envelope with the withdrawal cylinder, means for adjusting said lateral supports to raise and lower forward ends of the lateral supports, and xed supports spaced outwardly from the lateral supports.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 872,108 Brett Nov. 26, 1907 1,394,613 Drury Oct. 25, 1921 1,637,833 Mueller Aug. 2, 1927 2,248,004 Lipton July 1, 1941 2,251,945 Labombarde Aug. 12, 1941 2,259,672 Waller Oct. 21, 1941 2,384,768 Rau Sept. 11, 1945 2,518,042 Martell Aug. 8, 1950 2,635,538 Skow Apr. 21, 1953 

